Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Court denies case
The Supreme Court dealt a blow Tuesday to Enron investors who sued major investment banks to recover money lost when the Texas energy giant collapsed amid a massive accounting fraud.

Investors can limit their risks
NEW YORK - While Wall Street debates whether the United States is headed for recession, investors don't have to wait for an answer - they can take steps to limit their risks beyond simply defensive moves like rushing into bonds or converting investments to cash.

Instrument repair hits high note
BUENA PARK, Calif. - To get the right sound in the little-known world of high-caliber musical instrument repair, some say it takes a certain touch, perhaps even a degree of voodoo.

Internet access
American Airlines has begun installing equipment for high-speed Internet service on jetliners used for cross-country trips.

Plant shifts into high gear
The numbers say there is a lot going on in Hereford's first ethanol plant - 1.3 million gallons of water a day; 280,000 gallons of ethanol a day; 150,000 bushels of grain a day.

Stocks fall
An unusual emergency interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve gave Wall Street a partial rebound Tuesday from a precipitious early decline - and perhaps the first steps toward a long-term recovery. The rest of the comeback, for the economy as well as the stock market, may depend on a turnaround in the battered housing market and renewed confidence among U.S. consumers.

Savannah Marie Wright
Bernadette and Gary Wright of Amarillo announce the engagement of their daughter, Savannah, to Jeremy Ross Head.

Ashley Elkins
Kenda and Charles McDaniel of Amarillo announce the engagement of their son, Timothy, to Ashley Elkins.

Carrisa Shell Hicks
Cindie and Dennis Hicks of Hereford announce the engagement of their daughter, Carrisa, to Seth Anthony Hoelscher. Grandparents of the bride-elect are Helen and Dean Slaughter of Ruidoso, N.M., Mrs. Agnes Hicks of Dallas, and the late Dr. C.E. Hicks.

Ellen Mattingly
Laurie and Wade Mattingly of Houston announce the engagement of their daughter, Ellen, to Christopher Barnes.

Heloise: Buy prepaid card for trips
Dear Heloise: Get a prepaid debit card to use for travel, and leave your credit/debit card at home. Take along a regular credit card if you'd like. If your prepaid debit card is lost or stolen, it won't provide access to your checking and other bank accounts, just to the amount prepaid. I used one for trips to Barbados and Hawaii, and I had no problems with acceptance. - Ronald from Kenhorst, Pa.

Dr. Gott: Surgery last, best hope for relieving pain
Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 68-year-old female who has had back problems (spinal stenosis) for the past 10 years. Over this period, I have had eight cortisone shots and several physical-therapy sessions - anything to avoid surgery.

Heloise: Bootlegger beans request
Dear Heloise: Back in the late '70s, the college fraternity I was in had a parents' day, and I was required, being a newly initiated member, to help prepare the meal. I called my mother for her baked-bean recipe, and it is the same as your bootlegger beans, but my mother's recipe adds an equal amount of yellow mustard and ketchup. This gives it more of a barbecue taste. When it comes to recipes, Mother knows best. - Scott in Houston

Dear Abby: Woman considers 'revenge' for breakup
Dear Abby: To be honest with you, if I had a gun, I could shoot either myself or my ex-boyfriend. I was in love with him from the first day we met. We talked about everything in life and also about our relationship. Now he says he's "not ready" for a relationship.

Movie flops gets razzed by the Razzies
HOLLYWOOD - One year after being nominated for an Academy Award in "Dream Girls," Eddie Murphy finds himself on the downturn of the Hollywood roller coaster: He's nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards, the annual prizes better known as "the Razzies" that poke fun at the worst films and performances of the year.

Red wine diet draws a fan
It is widely accepted that red wine can improve your cardiovascular health. However, few people fully understand why it is so good for you and how to maximize the beverage's health benefits.

Metro Girls Roundup
River Road took a game lead in the District 2-2A girls standings Tuesday night, defeating the Friona Squaws, 46-40, at Friona.

Athlete of the Week: Cale Hoffman
On the Court: Against White Deer last Tuesday, the junior guard scored 40 points to lead the Rangers to a victory. That performance came on the heels of a 34-point effort against Dumas, and a 31-point output against Randall. Hoffman is averaging 22 points, five rebounds and four assists per game.

Reminder for stats, records
With district play under way, basketball coaches are reminded to phone in game results (800 692-4052) as quickly as possible and to submit individual statistics by Wednesday for listing each Friday (sports@amarillo.com or (806) 373-0810). Coaches also should provide district and season records of both teams to help compile league standings, which will be printed Tuesdays. Providing first names of double-figure (or top two) scorers is a courtesy to the opposing team.

Lady Sandies look to even score
When the Amarillo High Lady Sandies take the court at 6 tonight, they'll be looking to avenge their only District 2-5A basketball loss of the season and move into a tie for first place.

Metro Boys Roundup
Tascosa moved into sole possession of first place in the District 2-5A race Tuesday night, getting 25 points from Jon Davis and 13 points from Oliver London to hand Lubbock Monterey its first district loss, 56-45, at the Tascosa Activity Center.

Athlete of the Week: Sam Cameron
On the Field: In four victories last week, the junior forward scored five goals, including three against Randall in a 3-1 victory. Cameron, who scored 17 goals last season for the Lady Sandies, has seven goals in seven games.

A 'state'ment victory
Things are going McWell at McLean. This week, the Lady Tigers (17-5) cracked the Class 1A Division II statewide poll. This is a team that starts a freshman, three sophomores and a junior.

H.S. Wrestling
The Caprock boys and girls wrestling teams notched dominating victories against Hereford, adding to their already impressive resumes Tuesday in the Caprock Old Gym.

Astros invite Clemens to pitching camp
Roger Clemens is considering whether to accept an invitation to appear at a Houston Astros pitching camp, with his agent saying the embattled pitcher appreciates the Astros "standing by him" while he fends off allegations of steroids use made by a former trainer.

Voters to decide on fate of Dumas pool
Voters will decide whether to issue a $3 million bond to replace Dumas' aging municipal swimming pool, months after several property owners petitioned against the plan.

City OKs red-light cameras
Amarillo city commissioners approved installing red-light cameras at five intersections Tuesday after debating whether the cameras will increase rear-end vehicle collisions for a period of time.

AWARE Program awaits funding word
Organizers of a substance abuse halfway house in Amarillo are awaiting word from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on whether their program will receive funding.

Abortion event farewell for Yanta
Nearly 40 people gathered on a frigid Tuesday afternoon outside the Amarillo Civic Center to memorialize the victims of abortion and to pray for the end of abortion in the United States.

Fly away, little birds
To hear Ashley Rodriguez describe it, Coulter Street turns into a scene reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock movie most afternoons. Birds, by the thousands, fill the skies over the Texas Panhandle as they migrate south.

License backup may hit aged
The number of health care facilities has blossomed during the past several years. So much so that state and federal officials are so busy monitoring current facilities, a months-long backlog has developed to license new ones.

A 'dream' still young
A proclamation from the city of Amarillo was presented to 6- year-old Karien Garza as part of Monday's celebration in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

UIL's high school drug testing to begin
AUSTIN - It has taken much longer than most people thought, but the universally hailed random steroid testing for high school athletes is likely to start next month.

AISD adopts calendar
Amarillo Independent School District trustees adopted a 2008-09 school calendar Tuesday - the same calendar proposal they scrapped last month.

Wife sues after Springs slips into coma
DALLAS - Ron Springs left his wheelchair in the car and walked through Everson Walls' front door in October, a first since getting a kidney from his former Dallas Cowboys teammate eight months earlier.

Editorial: Smoking ban still smoldering
According to numerous local media reports, a group called "Breathe Easy Amarillo" is close to gathering enough signatures of registered voters to get another smoking ban on the ballot, preferably for May.

Letter: Why so little coverage of Congressman Paul?
There is an incredible, humble, selfless, awe-inspiring and motivating, conservative man who is running for president of the United States. He is a U.S. representative and physician from Texas and his name is Ron Paul. He offers hope to this country unlike any other candidate out there. Yet when I bring up his name in conversation, many people ask "Who?"

Amarillo Area Foundation announces recipients of matching grant funds
The Amarillo Area Foundation launched a Community Fund initiative in June for the benefit of participating area communities that has garnered $4.5 million. Panhandle communities were challenged to raise $50,000 locally, and the amount would be matched by a grant from the Amarillo Area Foundation to benefit programs that meet needs in the communities.

Nonprofit briefs
The American Red Cross Texas Panhandle Chapter is looking for people to step up to become "Heroes for the American Red Cross." Heroes agree to raise at least $1,000 during March, designated Red Cross Month. Prospective Heroes can make a personal or business contribution; ask their employer, church or civic group to make a contribution; or conduct fundraisers or any other activity to raise money and awareness of the mission of the Red Cross.

Great effort
St. Mary's Catholic School second-graders arranged the 242 cans and packages of food they collected for the Interfaith Hunger Project into a giant bar graph. St. Mary's donated 1,362 cans to the project.

Spotted
Spotted, amarillo.com's premier photo-sharing gallery, is a feature of amarillo.com showcasing the people and events of the area. Have you been spotted? Find out in this section each week. The fun doesn't stop here, however. View these photos and many more online at spotted.amarillo.com.

Praiseworthy
Oklahoma Baptist University named three Amarillo residents to its president's honor roll for the fall semester for achieving a grade-point average of 3.7 or higher. They are Lyndsay Bownds, a junior elementary education major; Jenna Lane, a sophomore Spanish major; and Hannah Skinner, a junior finance major.

Community briefs
Potter County 4-H Club, the Southsiders, is having a meeting for current and new members at 7 p.m. Monday at the Comanche Trails Church of Christ Library, 2700 S.E. 34th Ave. There is no cost to join 4-H. Information: (806) 372-3829 or (806) 584-0527.

Students help less fortunate
The 360 students at Carver Early Childhood Academy came back from their Christmas break still full of holiday cheer.

New River Road High School dedicated
River Road High School was awash with dignitaries Jan. 10 as students, faculty, staff and school board members celebrated the official dedication of the new 109,000-square-foot school.

Education briefs
The Amarillo High School Student Council is accepting nominations for the 2008 Sandie Hall of Fame. Nominees should have been graduated from AHS for at least 10 years, exhibit exemplary service to their community and should have been exemplary students during their time at AHS.

Lady Buffs' defense stingy during streak
If West Texas A & M's Lady Buffs extend their basketball home winning streak to 40 games today against Midwestern State, it will translate into their longest win streak of the season.